Bulk dispenser apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bulk dispensing apparatus uses a number of storage units for granular food products, i.e. candy, coffee, sugar, food supplements, etc.), each unit having a discharge hole with a valve connected to the hole of each unit. The valve is attached at a dispensing station above a catch basin, which catches the minimal spillage. By using a number of variously colored and flavored candy, specifically, a creative, decorative, edible art form in a clear container is easily fashioned and saved.

[0001] A bulk dispensing apparatus for dispensing a user-determined amount of product stored in bulk in a plurality of individual, removable storage bottles. Each bottle is connected to a dispenser containing a valve. There is a slide or hinge, or other means or attachment, supported by the mechanism. It is manually movable. In non-dispensing mode-the spring slide is relaxed, in dispensing mode it is stressed. The valve is positioned such that the user-defined amount of product passes through upon compression of the push shaft, which opens the valve. The dispensing apparatus is attached to a main body, from which it can be quickly removed to sanitize. The body is generally upright, mounting to another surface, i.e. walls, tables, cabinets, mobile cart, storage case/cart, etc.

CROSS-REFERENCED RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] 6,047,746 August, 1998 Green 5,651,401 June, 1995 Cados 2,606,088 August, 1952 Leaf 2,759,632 August, 1956 Usery 3,077,254 February, 1963 Goldfarb

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a unique apparatus for filling receptacles with granular products, which may flow from single source containers.

[0004] Dispensing mechanisms have long been known. They range from open containers that are common in bulk stores to coin operated machines such as candy machines.

[0005] Both of the above mentioned utility's are prone to contamination-especially the bulk container where the end users manipulate the product with a scoop. The handling of the food products by the public submits the enclosed product to contaminants. The gumball machine is much more difficult to sanitize than the bulk containers, but it is also a mechanically complex machine making it difficult to maintain for the personal user. For that reason, the end user is deprived of any amusement, fun, and even candy from such dispensing machines.

[0006] The idea of candy art is similar to that referred to in patent ______ Green. That particular mechanism is used to create sand art. Candy art, although similar in idea, is much better because the kids have and art they can eat. This mechanism is interactive, involving the users creativity, imagination, and playfulness. It brings back a sense of nostalgia for adult users as other powder products have been around for years.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a dispenser that is easy, user-friendly, owner friendly, fun, interactive, and amuses the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful apparatus for filling receptacles or containers with granular products is herein provided.

[0009] It is an object of this invention to provide an easy, clean, fun, entertaining way to dispense granular products. Yet another object of this invention is to provide controlled flow of the granular product thereby reducing waste. These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the use of a plurality of storage containers for the granular product, a discharge orifice and a valve connected to the orifice for each container. These advantages will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Apparatus embodying features of my invention are depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this disclosure and wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1. Is a frontal view of a five push button mechanism dispensing machine;

[0012]FIG. 2. Is a frontal view of a five vertical dispense mechanism dispensing machine

[0013]FIG. 3. Is a side view through the dispensing machine and push button mechanism including the catch bin

[0014]FIG. 3A. Is a side view through the dispensing machine and vertical dispense mechanism including the catch bin

[0015]FIG. 4. Is an exploded side view of all the main components of the dispensing machines. Shown is the vertical dispense mechanisms. Note mechanisms are interchangeable therefore the exploded view would be the same.

[0016]FIG. 5. Is a close up side view of the main frame of the dispensing machine and its relationship to the attachment of the dispensing mechanisms.

[0017]FIG. 5A. Is another side view of the main frame of the dispensing machine and the relationship with the attachment of the mechanisms.

[0018]FIG. 6A. Is are two bottom views of the push button dispensing mechanism. These views show the closed and open positions of this particular mechanism.

[0019]FIG. 7 Is a side view of the vertical dispense mechanism with a bottle of granular material attached. This mechanism is shown in the closed position.

[0020]FIG. 7A Is a side view of the vertical dispense mechanism in the open position allowing the granular material to be dispensed.

[0021]FIG. 7B Is an exploded side view of the vertical dispense mechanism. Depicted are all the features of this mechanism and the necessary components needed for the use of this mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1, & 2. A candy dispensing machine with round top of the machine 2 bottom channel 41 of top catch bin 15 and dispensing mechanisms 11, 16. Shown is the five transparent dispensing mechanism machine. Each mechanism has an inverted bottle 4 or container such that the open hole in the bottle is fitted into the large hole 11A in the top of the mechanism. This bottle is a snug fit with the dispenser and it shall be filled with granular and powdered products such as candy, gum, nutritional products or any similar edible granular product. The other end of the bottle or closed side is held in place by fitted piece 3. This fitted piece 3 restricts movement of the bottle and non-intentional removal. Granular material flows from bottle through dispenser by mechanism 11 or mechanism 16. The end user typically will fill up some sort of tube or container by standing in front of chosen dispensing mechanism and activating the dispenser as shown in FIGS. 6A, 7, 7A. They may move from one dispensing mechanism to another choosing different colors or flavors of granular product. Spillage is caught by the removable catch bin 15. The catch bin attaches quickly and easily to the main frame by hole 23 and secured with screw 5 and can be removed for cleaning and emptying. Edible granular products removed from catch bin are not re-used.

[0023] Side View

[0024] Displayed in FIGS. 3 & 3A are side views of 5 dispensing mechanism dispensing machines. Shown in FIG. 3 is push button dispensing mechanism 11, shown in FIG. 3A is vertical dispense mechanism 16 (make note that user or owner of the machine will choose one of these 2 styles of dispensing mechanisms for their machine), mounting shaft of mechanisms 17, removable grid 19 to clean catch bin in place, insertion point in the mainframe of the machine 20, back surface of catch bin 11

[0025] Exploded Side View

[0026] Displayed in FIGS. 4, & 5 is exploded side view of 5 dispensing mechanism dispensing machine. Catch bin 15, Attachment end 40 of catch bin is formed for easy installation and removal from the bottom channel slots 23.

[0027] Bottom channel has numerous features important for the use of the dispensing machine and its relationship between the catch bin, dispensing mechanism, mounting surface, and signage. The dispensing mechanism (s') are inserted into the hole opening in the bottom front side of the bottom channel 39. A corresponding lip 21 to the hole opening can be seen attached to the inside of the bottom channel. The relationship between hole 39, lip 21, keep the inserted piece 17 of FIG. 3 of the mechanism lined up perpendicular to the ground and the container full of granular material. Once inserted in bottom channel the dispensing mechanism(s) are held in place by the action of hinge piece 13 or similar holding plate attached on opposite side of slot 50. Once 13 is pressing up against support shaft 17 the slide piece 44 with attached threaded piece 14 and adjustable clamping piece 12, &12A is slid into gap on hinge piece 13. Once slide piece 44 and threaded piece 14 are in gap, clamping piece 12, & 12A is tightened against hinge piece 13. In the tightened mode the dispensing mechanism is held firmly in place.

[0028] The top channel 25 has permanently attached curved pieces 43 and removable container end holder(s)3 of FIG. 1. When dispensing mechanism is in place with attached container 4 the container is held in the correct position and unable to be removed without removing mechanism. Sign brackets 1 in FIG. 1 are used to mount removable and optional signage from top of round top 43.

[0029] Push Button Dispensing Mechanism

[0030]FIG. 6 shows two sectional views of the push button dispensing mechanism. FIG. 6A depicts a bottom view of push button mechanism in both closed and open position. The push button held in closed position by spring 27 and action between stop piece 28 slot 17A, pin 18A in piece 28 and screw 28A in end of push piece 18. In closed position 18 on one side and screw 28A attached near the end of push button going through slot 17A in attached piece 17. Spring is held on other side by stop 28 with pin 18A. In open position the push button 17 is depressed laterally compressing spring 27, and shown in 27A to full compression against stop 28. When push button 17 is fully depressed a through hole=18B in push button 17 aligns with holes in transparent material 11B This action allows for granular product in bottle or container 4 to flow out of opening in transparent material 11B. Attached piece 17 is a non-removable component.

[0031] Vertical Dispense

[0032]FIGS. 7, 7A, & 7B, shows sectional views of a vertical dispense mechanism.

[0033] This mechanism has similar attached piece 30 inserted in hole in transparent material. This attached piece is the same as 17 on the push button dispenser except it functions without the slot 17A. The transparent material has five holes 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D,& 16E. Two holes 16B, & 16E are perpendicular to the other three. These holes extend through the entire transparent piece 16 from top to bottom The hole on the top of the piece 16B opens large enough to accept the bottle of granular material 4, from this point the hole is cone shaped to allow for gravity feed movement of dispensed granular material, the remainder of the hole 16E is consistent in size and extends through the rest of the transparent material and out the bottom. The first hole 16D from the bottom is threaded to allow for a threaded piece to be inserted into the hole at a pre-determined distance. Threaded piece 33 is used as stop for the vertical push piece 34. The middle or second hole 16C from the bottom extends less than one third the distance across the transparent piece. It accepts the permanently mounted attached piece 30. The third or final hole 16A on the back side of the transparent piece is the smallest hole and it extends cross ways two thirds of the distance. Placed in this hole is rod 31. Rod 31 holds the large side of conical spring 32. This spring 32 is held in place under slight tension by stated rod 31 and vertical push piece 34. The tension holding spring in place also keeps vertical push piece 34 in closed position. Dispenser is activated by user by the action of pushing upward on the vertical push piece allowing angular holes 35 to be exposed in the larger area of the through hole 16B. This action opens valve and allows for product to flow through angular holes 35 and out straight through hole 16E in the vertical push piece. Vertical push pieces 34 movement in fully open/closed position is restricted by action of notch 36B for closed position and threaded piece 33. In open position bottom of notch 36A is stopped by threaded piece 33. FIG. 7a shows compression 38 of spring 32 and the release of granular product. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bulk dispensing apparatus for dispensing a user-determined amount of granular product stored in bulk comprising: storage bottles Means for confining a supply of a flowable granular material, such as candy, coffee, nutritional supplements, sugars, drink mixes, for selective discharge: Means for controlling the release of said flowable product into a container, wherein said means for controlling the release of said flowable granular product includes: A) Push Mechanism: A slide member mounted for horizontal movement between a closed and open position, said slide having a perforate therethrough, wherein said slide member includes a pellucid unit having a recess formed on an upper portion thereof, said perforate extending from said recess through said pellucid unit; and An entrant bottle having a lower discharge opening and extending vertically above said slide member and slidingly adjacent said slide member such that said discharge orifice is open by slide member when said slide is displaced from said rest position, said entrant bottle terminating within said recess of said pellucid unit; and allow for connecting said entrant bottle to said confining means for providing a constant supply of flowable granular product. B) A vertical dispensing mechanism. A slide member mounted for vertical movement between a closed and open position, said slide having an aperture therethrough, wherein said slide member includes a pellucid unit having a recess formed on an upper portion thereof, said aperture extending form said recess through said pellucid unit; and An entrant bottle having a lower discharge opening and extending vertically above said slide member and slightly adjacent said slide member such that said discharge orifice is open by slide member when said slide is displaced from said rest position, said entrant bottle terminating within said recess of said pellucid unit; and allow for connecting said entrant bottle to said confining means for providing a constant supply of flowable granular product.
 2. A bulk dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said machine comprises a plurality of sections.
 3. A bulk dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of sections are assembled on a shaft and main body of one of two styles.
 4. A bulk dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for conducting flowable granular product (s) released from the bottle to a pellucid unit to a container comprising a tube spout.
 5. A bulk dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, including a sliding member comprising an external shaft portion connected to said apparatus, whereby compression of shaft opens said apparatus' orifice to dispense product.
 6. A bulk dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sliding portion includes a removable bottle.
 7. A bulk dispensing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said bottle portion is removed, disposed, and replaced with a refill.
 8. A bulk dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein apparatus is attached to a main body in order to operate.
 9. A bulk dispensing apparatus as described in claim 8, attaches by means of a molded rubber gasket.
 10. A bulk dispensing apparatus as described in claim 8, attaches also by means of the sliding member clamping to main body.
 11. A bulk dispensing apparatus as described in claim 8, is unique to the shape of its gaskets and bottles.
 12. A bulk dispensing apparatus as described in claim 1, relies on the flow of gravity to move the flowable granular product.
 13. A bulk dispensing apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein main body features a removable catch basin for means of capturing spillage.
 14. A bulk dispensing apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein said catch basin is easily cleaned out and sanitized. 